Parks and recreation departments provide a wide variety of programs and services to their local communities. But are these programs accomplishing what they are intended to do for the individual, the organization, or the community?

Applied Research and
Evaluation Methods in Recreation
is the only text that integrates research, evaluation, and basic
statistical analysis and links these concepts directly to the field.
Using a logical format and accessible language, the book presents
students with the foundational knowledge they need to move through the
research process.

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Description

Author

Ancillaries

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Product Description

The importance of research and evaluation in the park and recreation industry is becoming increasingly evident as agencies are being asked to justify their existence to a variety of stakeholders. By properly evaluating programs, recreation professionals can better understand the impact of their programs and, with data in hand, justify future investments. Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation helps students build the competencies they need in order to meet professional standards.

Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation is the only text that integrates research, evaluation, and basic statistical analysis and links these concepts directly to the recreation field. Using a logical format and accessible language, the book provides students with the foundational knowledge they need in order to move through the research process. They’ll explore the various types of research commonly used in the field (including qualitative, quantitative, and action research) and then learn about the steps involved in designing a project, from developing the research problem, reviewing literature, and identifying variables and hypotheses to defining the population to study, developing the instrumentation plan, and choosing the appropriate data-collection tools. Then they’ll move on to evaluation concepts, including internal validity, data analysis, and reporting methods.

The author’s approach to the material makes this textbook truly unique. Each chapter builds on the previous one to clearly explain the steps of the research process and show how all of the concepts are interrelated. Students will learn not only why the steps and concepts are important but also how they relate specifically to the field. Each chapter closes with features that help students apply what they’ve learned: a case study, exercises, and For the Investigator, an ongoing research project that uses a hypothetical recreation survey to give students realistic practice in recreation research. The text contains many other features that will help students better understand and apply the concepts they’ve learned. Chapter-opening scenarios offer examples of the kinds of research that students might be expected to undertake. Objectives highlight the key points of each chapter, and a glossary offers easy access to definitions of unfamiliar terms. Professional Perspectives sidebars describe real research projects from current professionals with an explanation of the project’s importance to the organization.

Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation also includes an online student resource (OSR) that provides additional opportunities for students to apply the information they’ve learned. Students will analyze two scholarly articles—one qualitative and one quantitative—throughout the course based on the concepts learned in each chapter. The OSR also contains a case study for each chapter that can be used in assessing students’ comprehension of the concepts covered or as the basis of in-class discussion and exercises to help students better understand and apply the material. In addition, the For the Investigator project appears in the OSR so students can easily download documents and data related to it.

Through the practical approach of Applied Research and Evaluation Methods in Recreation, students will gain the foundational knowledge they need in order to become confident in using their research and evaluation skills to meet the demands of their profession.

Contents

Chapter 1 Investigative Overview

Foundational Knowledge for Researchers

Benefits of Conducting Research and Evaluation

CAPRA Issues Related to Research and Evaluation

Benefits of Research and Evaluation for the Professional

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 2 The Research and Evaluation Process

Elements of the Scientific Method of Inquiry

Elements of the Evaluation Research Process

Comparing the Scientific Method of Inquiry Research and Evaluation Research

Steps of the Research Process

Quantitative and Qualitative Study Designs

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 3 The Research Problem

Defining the Research Problem

Purpose of the Study

Research Questions

Quantitative Research Designs

Qualitative Research Designs

Action Research

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 4 Review of Literature

What Is a Review of Literature?

Why Conduct a Review of Literature?

How to Find Literature

Synthesizing the Literature

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 5 Variables and Hypotheses in Study Designs

Relationships

Variables

Hypotheses

Measurement Scales

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 6 Ethics in Research

Protection From Harm

Confidentiality

Parental Permission

Avoiding Deception

Using All Data

Avoiding Coercion

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 7 Sampling

Defining the Population

Sampling Techniques

Sampling Issues

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 8 Instrumentation

Selecting a Leader

Defining the Population

Making an Instrumentation Plan

Kinds of Data

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 9 Data Collection Tools

Data Collection Tools

Instrument Selection

Instrument Considerations

Validity of the Instrument

Reliability of the Instrument

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 10 Internal Validity

Review of Validity

10 Threats to Internal Validity

Validity in Qualitative Designs

Reliability

Relationship Between Validity and Reliability

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 11 Data Analysis

Descriptive Statistics

Range

Standard Deviation

Additional Statistical Analysis

Qualitative Data Analysis

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Chapter 12 The Research Report

Executive Summary

Purpose of the Study

Background

Methods

Results

Recommendations

Conclusion

Learning Aids

Audiences

A text for undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a research or
evaluation course in recreation, parks, leisure, and tourism.

Diane C. Blankenship, EdD, is an associate professor at Frostburg
State University in Frostburg, Maryland, where she teaches courses in
research methods in the recreation and parks management program. She
also serves on the program’s graduate thesis and project committee.

Blankenship has extensive and varied experience, having worked as a
professional Boy Scout and a recreation therapist; in residential camps,
aquatic facilities, recreation centers, and outdoor recreation
facilities; and for the Department of the Army in Germany.

Blankenship has used her skills in recreation and leisure research
methods to assist local and state organizations in the evaluation of
their programs and facilities and in strategic planning. She is a member
of the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association (MRPA) and has served
numerous times on the conference committee and as the coordinator of
data analysis for all conference evaluations. In addition, she serves as
a site visitor for the Commission for Accreditation of Park and
Recreation Agencies (CAPRA) and as a recreation commissioner for the
City of Frostburg.

In her free time, Blankenship enjoys walking rail-trails, knitting, and
traveling with her daughter to Native American reservations. She and her
husband, Calvin, and their daughter reside in Frostburg.